Temporary LaSalle Causeway bridge in Kingston, Ont. to be removed Saturday for marine traffic

A boat moves through the LaSalle Causeway in Kingston, Ont. (Public Services and Procurement Canada/YouTube)

The City of Kingston is advising commuters that the temporary bridge on the LaSalle Causeway will be removed for the day Saturday to open the crossing to marine traffic.

The causeway is a main traffic link between Kingston’s downtown and east end, but its former bascule bridge was damaged last year and could not be repaired. The bridge was removed and replaced by a temporary modular bridge, which is expected to remain in place until the construction of the permanent replacement bridge begins.

The City of Kingston says the modular bridge will be lifted Saturday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., closing the crossing to vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists. This will allow marine traffic to move between the St. Lawrence River and the Great Cataraqui River, which is the southern terminus of the Rideau Canal system.

This will be the first lift of the 2025 boating season, the City of Kingston says.

The causeway is owned and operated by Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC). PSPC says its proposed schedule of marine access for 2025 includes opening the channel once every two weeks between mid-April and June, once per week between June and August, and once every two weeks between September and mid-November.

PSPC says the causeway will be open for marine traffic on the following dates:

• Saturday, April 19, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Saturday, May 3, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Saturday, May 17, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Saturday, May 31, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

“During these periods, the removal of the modular bridge will begin at 6 a.m., with the marine channel expected to be open by 9 a.m. The marine channel will be closed at 5 p.m. to reinstall the bridge. The causeway is expected to reopen to vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians by 8 p.m.,” PSPC says on its website.

The City of Kingston says Montreal Street, John Counter Boulevard, Highway 15 and Waaban Crossing will be temporarily affected during the causeway closures, which may lead to some traffic congestion and travel delays. The city recommends travellers plan their trips ahead of time, adjust travel times when possible, and consider carpooling or taking public transit during the closure. Kingston Transit says on Saturday and on weekends as part of the spring and summer schedule effective May 5, the new Route 60 will provide service over the Waaban Crossing, along Highway 15 to Fort Henry.

The full marine opening schedule for 2025 has not yet been confirmed, PSPC says, as it awaits approval from Transport Canada.